In the early 70's the Whatnauts scored hits for "Stang" where the teamed up with the Moments on "Girls".

"Instigating" is a great bouncy mid tempo number which shouldn't be too hard to track down."I Can't Stand" is a sweet soul almost crossover slowie, and is a great listen while relaxing.

The Fifth Amendment - I Got You Where I Want You

Another one of those forgotten all nighter spins from the early 70's, which has been held back over the years as it was always readily available in the sales boxes.

Before the Modern / Northern soul split, it was tracks like this which would be played out in the "Big Room" without another thought, whether it be at the "Mecca", "Casino" or your local soul night.Arranged by the legendary Horace Ott.

There are two different dark blue label designs which are both "Vinyl" presses, but the light blue in on nasty 'orible Styrene.

Velvet - Bet You If You Ask Around / The Perception String Orchestra - Instrumental

This is the original 1973 issue which was later recorded and released by "The Quadrophonics".

A falsetto led Blackpool Mecca classic, which remains on the whole, forgotten about.

The instrumental flip is superb and of course, it is my favourite side and the kind of thing I would now spin if I were still DJ'ing, which is why nobody wants me :-D

A great 45 and a little harder on a Demo.

Don Downing - Dream WorldWhen was the last time you heard this?A 1973 recording originally released on "Roadshow" then nationally on "Scepter", this got a UK release as here on the "People" record label.

One of those 70's oldies which were popular back in the day, but don't seem to get much of a look in now a days.

A great track which should be available fairly cheaply on any label.

George Wilson - Here Stands The Man Who Needs You / Instrumental

Out of Pittsburg Pa, this is one monumental piece of soul music.

One listen to George's pleading vocal and tears will well, up in your eyes, it is as good as any of the Deep Soul greats. I can't find out much information about George, other than him being a prolific local performer, and that he passed away in 1984.I have included the instrumental as it still is a great "Crossover" dancer in it's own right.

Gene Chandler - I'll Make The Living If You Make The Loving Worthwhile

Born Eugene Dixon in Chicago in 1937, he scored a big hit with "Duke Of Earl".

Gene recorded lot's of tunes which have seen exposure on the Northern Soul scene, but this 1983 release is one of the later one's.

An excellent piece of Modern Soul which hasn't yet been over exposed, and would make a great 45 to slip into your play box.

This got a UK release a year later on "Blue Bird"

The above copy with the "Blue" print is a vinyl copy, the "Black" print copy is "Styrene.

Revelation - Get Ready For This / Where It's Warm

Produced by Norman Harris, Jerome Gasper, Allan Felder, this is a great Philly track.Revelation recorded this vocal take of "The Brothers" superb instrumental in 1975.

The instrumental is such a monster dancer that this has lived in it's shadows, but give it a listen now, and the great quality jumps out at you."Where It's Warm" is hidden away on the flip side, but give it a listen and what great mid tempo soul it is.

"Get Ready For This" stands a great chance of being a big revival spin.

Nia Johnson - You Are The Spice Of My Life

Hailing out of DC, Nia recorded this 45 for Mainstream at the height of the Disco boom in 1976.

"Spice" is a soulful mid-tempo number which should appeal to crossover lovers as well as soul fans of all types.A real soul record for the connoisseur.Sharon Britt - Guess Who I Belong ToSharon Brittingham had this 45 released in 1973, and produced by Joe Renzetti, this little tune fits quite nicely into the Crossover category.Well would you believe it, I have recieved an email today from the lady herself, so watch this space for more details as soon as Sharon tells all.A nice little 70's 45 which won't break the bank.

Moses - Sweetest Love / Sunday Afternoon

Moses Davis recorded this sweet and soulful stepper in 1978 on this small New York indie.

"Sunday Afternoon", is a great 70's instrumental which does make we think of "Liberty's" "Girl You Better Wake Up' every now and again.

A light and breezy dancer this has never really seen a record deck in a soul club, maybe a little too jazzy for some tastes, it will probably remain one of those little gems hidden away in collections.

Leon Ware - What's Your Name / Club SashayBorn In Detroit in 1940, Leon was a song writer at Motown, working with all the greats like Marvin, Diana and the Jackson Five.Taken off his "Inside Is Love" album from 1979, "What's Your Name" is a great modern soul dancer.

I first heard "What's Your Name" at the Clifton Hall all nighters in the early 1980's.

"Club Sashay" is more of a stepper, and reminds me of something else, but bugger me if I can remember what it is.

Bull & The El Capalara's - Girl Of My Heart / No Sign Of Sadness

James Parks is the guy behind the "Bull" moniker, and was the same guy as "Bull & The Matadors on Toddlin Town and he released the superb "bygones" as a solo artist.

"Girl" was originally tried out back in the day at Cleethorpes, but it never took off, so it is certainly a forgotten oldie, and is a great up tempo 70's track.

"No Sign Of Sadness" is a top class sweet soul harmony track which should appeal to the crossover lovers as well.

This is my preferred side to play, it really is sweet and soulful.

Trivia - most of the stock copies of this 45 have the deletion "Drill Hole" in the run out "Dead Wax" , although it doesn't impede playing.

Donny Hathaway - You Were Meant For Me / Valdez In The Country

Sometimes you play a record and it smacks you in the face with it's greatness, and this is one of those.

This must be one of the most soulful tunes to have ever been released.

Donny was a Paranoid Schizophrenic and suffered from deep depressions for most of his life, to the point of him ending his own life with a fall from a 15th floor window.

Donny has never really been appreciated for his grateness as a talent, shame, he really was one of the greats.

"Valdez" is a jazz funk instrumental, which was originally released on the 1973 album "Extensions Of A Man", and shows Donny's talent as a song writer and musician.A little bit of trivia for you, Donny is said to have been a member of "The Mayfield Singers" who recorded the then unreleased monster track "Don't Stop Now".This track is for my brother Chris who rates Donny as the best male soul singer of them all.

Richie Merritt - Where Did I Go Wrong / Instrumental

Richie Merritt has been singing and performing for over 40 years, he was the lead vocal on "The Electrons" version of "Ain't No Big Thing"

This is a great modern soul dancer, which gives the release date as 1990, but to my ears it sounds a few years earlier, in fact Richie himself say's he released it in 1979, but as far as I can tell, Nobody has ever seen a copy of that "Mysterious" release.

Richie gives a great Vocal performance, and the instrumental side gives us a chance to listen to the musicians giving us a great performance.P.S. His own website, (http://richiemerrittnow.com), states rather hopefully that this very 45 was a top ten hit in the UK, but I am sorry to disappoint Richie, but that was in "Voices From The Shadows" magazine.

Morris Jefferson - It's The Last Time Around For Me / One More Time

I can't find out anything about Morris, other than he recorded the Disco classic "Spank Your Blank Blank" a couple of years before this 1980 released 45.

This is a great modern soul double sider, and you can take your pick as to which side you prefer, my choice is for "Last Time", but it is close.

Not an expensive 45, but pure quality.

Baby Washington - Can't Get Over Losing You

"Justine Baby Washington" was born in North Carolina but raised in New York.

She is perhaps best known for her recordings she made for "Juggy Murray's" "Sue" record label, which included the brilliant "Leave Me Alone".

This 1974 outing was written by and originally recorded by "Donnie Elbert" on "All Platinum".

A nice track to listen to whilst sat out on a sunny day.Quiet Elegance - Have You Been Making Out O.K.Quiet Elegance were out of Detroit and the members were, Yvonne "Frankie" Gearing, Mildred Vaney, and Lois Reeves.

Mildred Vaney had been a member of The Glories, while Lois Reeves was the sister of Motown's Martha Reeves. Frankie had also sang with The Glories as well as The Steinways.

This 1975 release was written by Al Green and is typical of the musical output of the "Hi" label.